NEC heads into the Round of 32 with a desire to progress to the R16 for the first time in the club’s history. The club has only made one previous attempt at this stage and was unable to progress.
We defeated a stubborn Northern Division in Mbale stadium with our goals coming from Kayanja and Kavuma before they scored a consolation to end the tie in a 2-1 score.
About Acholi United;
The team was formed in 2019 in the Norther Part of Kitgum town in Pager village by the local community and their deam of playing association football was cut short when COVID19 hit the country.
However, they did not give up their beautiful dream as a community as football remains a great unifier to them.
At the return of football in the country at the lower levels, Acholi United stayed on course without significant progress until last year 2023 when they progress to the yet to commence 4th Division football in their region.
The Kaffa Robert coached team hopes to progress to the next round in the Stanbic Uganda Cup, thanks to their community which supports them financially through street collections, church and market fund raising among others.
What Mbalangu says;
On the mood in the camp ahead of the R32 game….the team is a very good mood and we are prepared for this encounter because of the sturbonness of those team from the lower division so we aren’t playing, we are meaning business.
On the injuries in the squad…. Ssebaggala is still under treatment, Okocha and Ssesaazi have recovered from Malaria and joined the senior training just yesterday, alos Cromwel is out ill, its those who aren’t available for selection ahead of tomorrow’s game because they are not fully fit.
Message to the fans… I call upon all our fans to come and support us as thy do in the League and what makes this Stanbic Uganda Cup tricky is the fact that is a knock out tournament, the moment you lose, its done for you. But am very confident ahead of this encounter so let them come in nubers and witness as we progress to the round of 16 at our home, the MTN Omondi Stadium – Lugogo.
Team News
With Cromwel unlikely in today’s encounter, we are likely to see Kayanja pair with his Captain Kavuma Marvin upfront. Both have been great since the return of the second round, but also very important in this Cup having scored the two goals that gave us victory over Norther Division in the R64, where Kayanja scored the first goal before turning into provider to Kavuma’s.
Kelvin Barni is expected to be back in the team squad having been slide-lined since the R64 which he didn’t complete with an injury.
With a few absentees, Coach Mbalangu has a good pool to pick from and will be looking forward to naming a strong squad ahead of this encounter.
Kick off and Broadcast schedule;
The game kicks off at 400pm and will be brought to you live by FUFA TV with Peter Otai in the commentary box.
See you at the MTN Omondi Stadium.
Some good readers on Acholi United, very awesome 👌